Day 10, 07August2025 - Chillaxing at the lake

Thursday, we hung at the lake.  It was foggy in the morning, but it quickly lifted. 

Uncle Earle had appointments in the morning, so we decided to go for a bike ride. We loaded the bikes and took a short drive up to the Cuyuna recreation area, Sagamore unit. Lucky for me, Mike had an extra bike, since we only brought June's ebike on this trip. 

The Cuyuna Recreation area is a good example of how an old industrial area can be repurposed. Iron ore was mined in this area from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Twenty to thirty mines operated in the area during the mining boom of World Wars I and II. Like the mines at home, they shut down in the 70s, the mining pits filled with water and are now pristine lakes. Through the efforts of the state of Minnesota and local volunteer groups, the area has become an outdoor recreation attraction and officially became a Minnesota State Recreation Area in 1993.

Cuyuna, Sagamore Unit

This lake was once a mining pit. 

Cuyuna Biking

The riding was great, we took some easy trails and logged about 6.5 miles without much effort.  The trails are very well maintained. 

This is our route, lots of twisties. 

After biking we just hung out at the lake, 

Kris and June

Uncle Earle came back to the lake and the girls floated around a bit. 

I flew my drone and took some video of the lakes, when I get home I will try to edit it into something that flows better.  

Black Bear Lake

This is Black Bear Lake from about 1000'. 

Kris, June and Capt. Mike

After dinner we took a relaxing ride on the pontoon boat. 

Moose

Moose knows how to enjoy a boat ride, he doesn't let Mike out of his sight;  where Mike goes, Moose goes. 

It has been great visiting with Uncle Earle, Kris and Mike, but tomorrow, Friday, we have to start the trek back east.  We are planning to take the Canadian route through Wisconsin, Michigan, Canada and enter the USA in northern New York.  The fun part of our trip is done, we hope to be home by Monday at the latest.